Amos Levkovitch - it looks like his birds just love him. I once sat through his lecture at a magic convention and he explained how he takes care of his birds. Any magician considering using animals in their show should sit through his lecture.

Hello All:Mr. Shrimpton is right. Harry Vendryes had the most beutiful dove-act, I ever have seen. Channing Pollok was good, but in my humble opinion Harry Vendryes was in the same class, if not better.He did a few dove-steals, which were sensational and unexplicable.His finale trick was an absolute "killer",because it wasnt the usual cage vanish, it was something even more spectacular. In his free time, Harry was fumbling around with electronics, which he wanted to incorporate into his act.Unfortunately I saw Vendryes never again. He "vanished" without a trace and I wish, I could locate him.Maybe this post helps me to find him eventually.In advance THANKS!

I knew that about Franklin.And as said above it would be wonderful to find out what Happened to Harry. My magic mentor was greatly infuenced by him, and has passed on so many things to me that Harry told him.By the way, i gather that Harry had, due to an acident, a very large hollow on the right side of his body, and this was used to advantage in hiding birds.

Harry was to the time as we met the first time the "Ladies delight", also. Harry did know his bird-act in- and outside, but beside his great act he did know one single trick only: The paddle trick, which he performed quite well.His agent was Mrs. Carmen Bajon from Paris and I think, if I go to Pareis the next time I`ll contact her to find out something more about Harry Vendryes.

I am under the impression that He returned to the west Indies to Retire.Laurie Gleeson My mentor, tells me that that was the last thing he heard.Did you ever hear about the "silk from fly" thing?very amusing.

Maybe 25 years ago at one of the Tannen's Jubilees there was this guy who dressed up like a giant dove and produced little men. That was funny....As for favorite dove acts, I'd have to go with Pollock...Carl

The act Carl is referring to is ... I can't remember the guy's name: he was an Italian doctor who died last year. Zeli, Zelpi, perhaps? Either way, it was either him, or Bob Little, who copped his act!

Just received an e-mail from Stefano Pascale with more concrete information about the guy who did the comedy act dressed as a giant dove. His name was Giampaolo Zelli (Zelpy), and he was born in Rome on March 18, 1936.

No one has mentioned Jonathan David Bass. That boy has always been a bit off but in a good way. Unique is always a good way to go. Dimmare is always one of my faves, Jason Byrne (Not to be confused with David Byrne) has a great style and act. I saw Saterial at a TAOM and despite tha fact it was very basic stuff.. it was still a pretty act.

As far as old skool goes (off subject that it is) Channing had a smoothness that most just don't have still.

Joseph Gabriel....many forget him, but he's performing in Vegas now, and is simply amazing. His steals are real foolers, and some are a mystery to all of the magicians in the show watching him over and over....Yep, Joseph Gabriel...

Years ago I used to see Tom and Sherrie frequently. They had a real high energy act. Sherrie was also really hot looking, and a terrific assistant. Sadly I read that Sherrie died a few years ago. One complaint I have with a lot of new school dove workers: A lot of them just have the doves suddenly appear, they have done nothing "magical" to bring about the sudden appearance of the dove. I think that breaks a cardinal rule of magic. If you produce something, you should do something to cause this phenomenon.

This is my 1st post/reply, so bear with me if it has been said before, or if my comments are for much earlier posts.I believe there are many excellent Dove Acts performing today. Some that come to mind are George Saterial, David Oliver, Amos Levkovitch, Tony Clark, Gen Grant, Lance Burton, Shimada, Jason Purdy, Jason Byrne, Greg Frewen, Dan Birch, Joseph Gabriel,and Johnny Thompson to name a few. They each have things in their act that are original and some things that are standard/public domain, but with an original twist. I can't say who my favorite is since each performer is unique in his own way. However the two Dove Workers that had the most impact on me are Gen Grant (still working) and Channing Pollock, the greatest ever in my opinion!

I,INADVERTENTLY,left out some names of other Dove Workers in my previous post that I also consider excellent: James Dimmare, Rick Thomas, James Cielin, Jonathan David Bass, Dave Womack and Dan Sperry.Again, this is not a complete list. I hope I have not offended anyone whose name I left out.

I certainly do not consider myself an expert on the subject of DOVE Magic, it is just an area of magic that is dear to my heart. When I was a kid, 14 years old, I did a dove act. That was about fifty years ago, yes, I said 50. I saw Channing Pollock perform on TV on the Ed Sullivan Show, I believe it was March 7, 1954. Later that year I met Gen Grant at Holden's Magic Shop in Boston. I also saw him perform later, about 1955. He helped motivate me a great deal. We are still friends to this day.

There has been some controversy about who first did the dove toss to silk effect, Channing or Gen. If any of you happen to have heard or would like to contribute your ideas on the matter, I would be very interested in hearing about your story or version of the account. I happen to have my own opinion which I have posted on other magic websites. Please understand, I do not wish to start any problems or conflicts over the controversy, it is just that I am interested in the history of Dove Magic. As many of you may know, the dove toss to silk is done by many Dove Workers today and is consequently considered public domain.

In case some of you have not seen some of the Acts mentioned above, I was thinking to describe them on this site without giving any secrets away, but not to review or critique them. If anyone out there thinks it would be beneficial, just let me know which act would interest you.

I first began working with doves after seeing Lance Burton at the Midwest Magic Jubilee in St. Louis, Missouri. Believe it was 1981, certainly before he became a phenomenon. He was and is, incredible. The other magician that made a huge impact on me was Shimada. He performed in St. Louis at the old American Theatre, a beautiful old hall. I believe it was the 'It's Magic' show. At any rate, I was introduced to him, his wife and daughter by Harry Montieth. A really wonderful memory. I still have the playing cards that Shimada, wife Deanna and daughter Lisa. When he threw two doves into the air and they morphed into two white scarves, it was pure magic!

Here in The Netherlands we have Dion van Rijt.That kid is 14 years old and has a dove act older magicians can learn from him!He is training now for upcomming FISM and I shall eat my shoe if he do not win any price!!

As a follow-up to my previous post, I remember seeing a Swedish magician, Tim Starr, perform a linking ring routine where as a final effect, a live dove suddenly appeared perched within the three linked rings. Tim had a knack for approaching standard effects and adding a little twist that made them really stand out. Tim used to spin products for Rings 'n Things and was an incredible close-up and stage talent. I wonder whatever happened to him?

Check out Puck's act... He's at a theater on International Drive in Orlando, FL. My Favorite Part of his act is Cockagamie' with his cockatoo, But his dove work kicks butt too. He also performs at the castle occasionaly usally with Denny Haney.